Online Reporter
Don Makanyanga
Online Writer
BEN Curran struck his maiden One-Day International century to rescue Zimbabwe from a precarious position and guide the hosts to a competitive 247 for six in their 50 overs after recovering from an early collapse.
Zimbabwe was left reeling at 37 for three at the end of the first powerplay after losing three wickets inside the opening 10 overs, with the top order struggling to cope with the visitors’ bowling.
However, Curran anchored the innings with a composed knock of 111, providing the stability Zimbabwe desperately needed.
The left-hander reached his half-century from 59 deliveries before going on to register his maiden ODI hundred off 122 balls, an innings featuring nine boundaries.
At the first drinks break, Zimbabwe had recovered to 61 for three after 14 overs, with Curran unbeaten on 29, alongside Wessly Madhevere who contributed 13.
Curran continued to rebuild the innings through the middle overs, sharing a crucial fifth-wicket partnership with Sikandar Raza.
The pair added 50 runs in 68 balls, with Raza contributing a steady 31 as Zimbabwe reached 131 for four at the second drinks interval.
Zimbabwe crossed the 150-run mark in the 38th over, but the innings needed a late flourish to post a challenging total.
That acceleration came through Brad Evans, who launched an aggressive counterattack after arriving at the crease.
Evans raced to his half-century from just 36 balls, smashing two fours and four sixes in an unbeaten 58.
Curran and Evans stitched together a valuable seventh-wicket stand worth 50 runs from only 55 deliveries, lifting Zimbabwe beyond the 200-run mark in the 47th over.
Curran remained unbeaten on 111 at the close, while Evans finished undefeated on 58 as the duo posted a partnership of 99 off 80 deliveries.
Zimbabwe closed on 247 for six.
Bangladesh needs 242 runs to win from 50 overs.
